Costières de Nîmes AOP

Appellation for red, rosé and white wines in the east of the French wine-growing region Languedoc south of the city of Nimes. The area is geographically still in the Languedoc, but in terms of wine law it has belonged to the Rhône wine-growing region since 2004, as the wines are more in keeping with the typicity there (the enclave AOC Clairette de Bellegarde, however, belongs to the Languedoc). Formerly called "Costières du Gard", the area was renamed in 1989 to avoid confusion with the IGP Gard. The vineyards cover 4,600 hectares of vines on powerful gravel soils, spread over 24 communes in the Gard département.

Red wines and rosés account for over 90% of production. They are blended from a maximum of 40% Carignan Noir (Mazuelo) and Cinsaut, at least 25% Grenache Noir (Garnacha Tinta), and at least 20% Mourvèdre (Monastrell) and/or Syrah. In the rosé, 10% of the white varieties are also allowed. The white wine consists of Clairette Blanche, Grenache Blanc (Garnacha Blanca), Bourboulenc, a maximum of 40% Ugni Blanc (Trebbiano Toscano), and a maximum of 50% Marsanne, Roussanne, Macabéo and Rolle (Vermentino). Well-known producers are Domaine de l'Amarine, Château Paul Blanc, Château de Campuget, Château Grande Cassagne, Domaine le Grand Plaignol, Mas Neuf, Château Mourgues du Grès, Château de la Tuilerie and Domaine du Vieux Relais.